Three Hub Circus

George Washington once said, “To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” Okay, so packing for a family trip may pale in contrast to the concerns of our first President, but the principles are the same.  Good preparation preserves a peaceful atmosphere in the house before the trip and also ensures smooth traveling. In agreement, Fodor’s How to Pack booksuggests begin your preparation far ahead of your departure date so that the last minute pressure is relieved. Here is a detailed list of things to consider:

Around the House:

• Notify a neighbor you will be away and leave itinerary and contact numbers.
• Arrange to have the mail taken care of, either by neighbors or easily online at the Post Office. Be sure to save your online hold confirmation number in case you decide to change your dates.
• Plan for the newspaper to be held.
• Pay Bills
• Line up outdoor yard services such as watering and lawn mowing in the summer and shoveling in the winter.
• Due to security concerns, decide which lights you want to leave burning to make it look like someone is home. Another option is to put the lights on timers which you can purchase at a hardware store.
• If you have a pet, arrange for it’s care.
• Laundry -Don’t forget to get the wash under control before you start packing. A good rule of thumb, especially if you have babies, is to be certain to have all laundry washed, folded and put away by the day before you must pack. Sometimes this means two days before your flight. That way everything is clean and easily found.

Shopping and Gathering Items:

Packing can be easy if you have everything you need.

• Be sure to have appropriately-sized luggage for the trip and that it’s in good working order. Purchase or borrow what you don’t have. The Packing Book suggests that each child be as self-sufficient as possible.  If your child is old enough, think about getting him his own suitcase and small carry-on bag or backpack.
• Shop at a luggage store for any items you may need such as packing cubes or luggage tags.
• Charge your electronic gadgets and make certain you have all the necessary extras:
  • Batteries for electronics, cameras and toys.
  • Chargers for cell phones, PDAs, cameras and laptops.
  • Film, memory cards or tapes for cameras and camcorders.
• Buy or gather anything you need to keep the kids entertained on the plane and on the trip such as toys, portable DVD players, cassette tapes of books.
• Get together a first-aid kit and be sure to include phone numbers for all family doctors and dentists.
• Visit the drugstore and get any prescriptions you’ll need filled for the trip.
• Consider ID for a young child with your contact numbers. You can loop a luggage tag on your child’s belt with your itinerary and business card inserted within. Another idea is to have your business card laminated by an office supply copy store and made into a luggage tag for your child to wear. Children love this when you call it their “special card.” One other idea is to purchase lightweight Shoe IDsfor kids. 
• Shop for any clothing any family members may need for the trip. For example, if you’re going to the beach, do you all have swimsuits that fit? If you live in a cold climate and are heading to a warmer one, have your kids outgrown their summer clothing?

 Pre-packing Checklist

Good luck in your battle against pre-travel disorganization. To further aid you, above is a printable checklist version of this list.

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